Reformation History: Covenanter Recruitment

In early January 1639, there is a large recruitment campaign in Scotland as the Covenanters prepare and train for war with Charles I.

This is a circular letter from the Committee at Edinburgh, signed by the Earls of Argyle, Rothes, Montrose, Lothian, the Lords Balmerino and Yester, and 13 others, to some leading persons in each shire of Scotland.

Part of it reads:

“….so being daily menaced with the present perils of garrisons, levying and preparing of armies to force and impose a yoke of bondage upon our consciences, and turn our liberty to thraldom, if we will not (against a manifest light of a convincing truth and our great oath) willingly subjugate ourselves again to that episcopal tyranny and servitude from which God in his mercy has with an outstretched arm so mightily delivered us, we were constrained to resolve upon such a present course as might best conduce for our safety and averting of these great and imminent dangers, threatening no less than the sudden ruin of our religion, liberties, and lives, if we do not by drawing near to God and using lawful means labour timely to prevent the same, for which end we entreat you seriously to peruse the inclosed advice and information, and that with all expedition ye will advertise the whole [of the] noblemen, barrons, gentlemen, burrowis [burgesses], and freeholders within the bounds of your shire, to convene together so soon as they can, and acquaint them with the hazard that this kirk and country stands in, and what great necessity there is of present going about and using all lawful means of our defence, by providing all the noblemen in the country with arms, and bringing them as speedily as can be to some knowledge of military discipline….”

Image: (Reproduced by kind permission of The National Archives)